# Rainbow Marshmallow Structures
> Connect rainbow-colored mini marshmallows with toothpicks to build 3D structures like cubes. A simple, colorful building and engineering activity.
- URL: https://www.funlittles.com/engineering-kids-build-rainbow-marshmallow-structures/
- Ages: 4–8 yrs · Difficulty: easy · Mess: low
- Time: prep none, activity varies
- Works for: one-on-one, small group, whole class
- Skills: engineering, fine-motor, colors
- Cautions: food-dye, ingestion-risk

## Materials (one batch)
- Colored mini marshmallows
- Wooden toothpicks (household)
- 1 piece Tray for the marshmallows (optional) (household)

## Substitutions
- Instead of colored mini marshmallows: Plain white mini marshmallows (Skips the coloring step. You lose the rainbow look, but the building works the same.)

## Safety
- Toothpicks have sharp points, so supervise closely, especially with younger children.
- Marshmallows are a choking hazard for young children. Supervise at all times.
- Treat the marshmallows as building materials, not a snack. Handled, colored marshmallows shouldn't be eaten.
- Check the marshmallow package label for allergens before the activity.

## Before you start
- Color the mini marshmallows ahead of time (see our earlier colored marshmallows post).

## Steps
1. Spread the colored mini marshmallows on a tray, grouped by color.
2. Push one end of a toothpick into a marshmallow.
3. Push a second marshmallow onto the other end of the toothpick.
4. Keep connecting toothpicks and marshmallows to make a flat square.
5. Poke toothpicks straight up from each corner and top them with marshmallows to build a cube.
6. Keep adding toothpicks and marshmallows to build bigger structures.

## The original post by TurkeyMom (2015)

Remember how we **colored marshmallows** ? We did something beautiful and fun with them. Head on over to The Imagination Tree to read about our [**marshmallow structures.**](https://theimaginationtree.com/rainbow-marshmallow-toothpick-structures/)